DHARAMSHALA, January 10: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay paid a courtesy visit to Shri Virbhadra Singh at the circuit house in Dharamshala, the first since the veteran Congress leader’s victory for a record sixth term in the state.

According to a report on the official Tibet.net, Sikyong Sangay was accompanied by Kalon Tsering Dhondup of the Department of Finance, Central Tibetan Administration during the visit. Also present was Shri Sudhir Sharma, Urban Development and Town and Country Planning minister.

“Sikyong presented a traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf and a Tibetan thangka painting to Shri Virbhadra Singh as a token of greeting and congratulation for assuming the office of the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh,” the report noted. “The chief minister also honoured Sikyong Dr Sangay with a traditional Himachali shawl and a cap.”

Himachali lawmakers are currently in Dharamshala, the state’s winter capital, to attend a four-day session of the newly-elected 12th Himachal Pradesh Assembly, which began January 8.

Pro tem Speaker Mansa Ram administered oath to the newly-elected members on the first day following which five-time Congress legislator and leading tea grower from Palampur, Brij Behari Lal Butail was unanimously elected as the Himachal Pradesh assembly speaker.

Last month following his victory, the exile Tibetan administration had congratulated “long-time supporter of Tibetans” Virbhadra Singh on his swearing-in as Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister.

Sikyong in a congratulatory note wished him a successful tenure and said Tibetans are “eternally grateful” to India and in particular the Himachali people. Himachal Pradesh state is the exile home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and headquarters of the Tibetan administration.

“You have always been a long-time supporter of Tibetans and the issue of Tibet throughout your five-decade long career,” Sikyong Sangay had said. “We look forward to see a further strengthening of your Government’s support for the issue of Tibet under your leadership.”